Assorted Sketches Of The Ryerunner, An Ostrich-sized Herbivore That Lives On The Wheat-covered Planet

Assorted sketches of the ryerunner, an ostrich-sized herbivore that lives on the wheat-covered planet Alicanto. Its frilled eyestalks fold over its head, forming a sort of natural balaclava that shields its eyes and upper nostrils in the strong winds. When extended, the underside is a bright, iridescent white; the sudden flash of a ryerunner's frill can be disorientating to practically anything with eyes in the dull sepia landscape.

Though they, as obligate herbivores, have little interest in eating other animals, ryerunners engage in a particularly gruesome form of kleptoparasitism: using their long front claw, they will cleanly "dissect" other plant-eating animals for their stomach contents (and another other occasional treats, such as gestating eggs or large internal parasites). By seeking out this partially digested food, they are able to add significant variation to their diet and include vegetation they would otherwise not be able to access. Attacks on carnivores are rarer, though still not especially uncommon. Herds of ryerunner will sometimes curiously follow animals, nutritional value or no, for up to several hours - both at ground level and by climbing to the surface of the wheat to stalk from above - before killing and carefully "dismantling" said animal as a group, a play behavior that reinforces social bonds and strengthens valuable hunting skills.

More Posts from Dododecalogist and Others

dododecalogist

3 months ago

We are approaching the maximum of images you can post here so I thought it was time I make a little showcase of all the formation pieces we covered so far on the streams.

For people who don't know: for several months now I draw one formation or fossil locality every Saturday. The next place we visit is chosen by a wheel of names, which we also constantly fill up again when a new formation is picked.

I try to make it as interesting as possible in my composition and choice of animals and I can tell you this series has been a great training when it comes to constructing these, how I call them, Menageries.

I have to thank a team of friends and colleagues who help behind the scenes with research, creation of size charts and conversation partners when it comes to deciding on the compositions of these pieces. Their help has been invaluable!

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dododecalogist

3 years ago

Kris isn’t secretly evil they’re just a weird kid who’s going through older sibling withdrawal. Also they’re being puppeted by an otherworldly entity. And on top of all that, they have to do a school project. I think they deserve to make a dark fountain or two. Y’know. As a treat.

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dododecalogist

8 months ago

something wrong with this thing

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dododecalogist

3 months ago

hey folks if you have an android phone: google shadow installed a "security app".

play.google.com

Android System SafetyCore - Apps on Google Play

Provides safety features for Android devices.

Hey Folks If You Have An Android Phone: Google Shadow Installed A "security App".

I had to go and delete it myself this morning.

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dododecalogist

1 week ago

i know why this is less common but i kind of wish more spec bio adjacent worldbuilding was less about the ways a species' society was built around their natural behaviors and more about how it failed to accommodate them

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dododecalogist

3 years ago

Love saying "Yipee!!!" in response to anything remotely even a little bit good, like yea girl im celebrating every little moment. Im filled with glee and wonder and why wouldnt i express that? Whos it hurting?

Not me, im finding out that the school cafeteria has olive bread today and going Yipee and im fucking thriving

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dododecalogist

3 months ago